2 robberies reported in Amherst

AMHERST -- Amherst police arrested a man accused of robbing The Junction drive-thru with a knife and are investigating whether the suspect was involved in a robbery at Pure Gas Station two days earlier.

Nicholas Thomas, 25, of Lorain, has been charged with aggravated robbery, but more charges could come if he is tied to the second incident.

Police said Thomas is accused of robbing The Junction, 1111 Milan Ave., with a knife at 11:30 p.m. Sunday.

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An off-duty officer, Sgt. Dan Makruski, saw an employee chasing Thomas near Apple Orchard Estates. Makruski went after Thomas and caught him in a field behind Faith Baptist Church on North Lake Street, police said.

Police said they are investigating whether Thomas was involved Friday night in the robbery of the Pure Gas Station, 1999 Cooper Foster Park, about 10:30 p.m.

The suspect slipped in behind another customer, pulled out a box cutter and demanded money from the cash register. The man took $300 in cash and a couple packs of cigarettes before fleeing to the north, according to police.

The man is described as a white male in his late 20s, approximately 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall. He was wearing a black jacket with a hood, black glasses and a black scarf over his face, police said.

A store security system recorded the incident and police are reviewing it for any leads.